TSVD as a Statistical Estimator in the Latent Semantic Analysis Paradigm

The aim of this paper is to present a new point of view that makes it possible to give a statistical interpretation of the traditional latent semantic analysis (LSA) paradigm based on the truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) technique. We show how the TSVD can be interpreted as a statistical estimator derived from the LSA co-occurrence relationship matrix by mapping probability distributions on Riemanian manifolds. Besides, the quality of the estimator model can be expressed by introducing a figure of merit arising from the Solomonoff approach. This figure of merit takes into account both the adherence to the sample data and the simplicity of the model. In our model, the simplicity parameter of the proposed figure of merit depends on the number of the singular values retained after the truncation process, while the TSVD estimator, according to the Hellinger distance, guarantees the minimal distance between the sample probability distribution and the inferred probabilistic model

The Proton and Occam's Razor

Otto Stern's 1933 measurement of the unexpectedly large proton magnetic moment indicated to most physicists that the proton is not a point particle. At that time, many physicists modeled elementary particles as point particles, and therefore Stern's discovery initiated the speculation that the proton might be a composite particle. In this work, we show that despite being an elementary particle, the proton is an extended particle. Our work is motivated by the experimental data, which we review in section 1. By applying Occam's Razor principle, we identify a simple proton structure that explains the origin of its principal parameters. Our model uses only relativistic and electromagnetic concepts, highlighting the primary role of the electromagnetic potentials and of the magnetic flux quantum ΦM = h/e. Unlike prior proton models, our methodology does not violate Maxwell's equation, Noether's theorem, or the Pauli exclusion principle. Considering that the proton has an anapole (toroidal) magnetic moment, we propose that the proton is a spherical shaped charge that moves at the speed of light along a path that encloses a toroidal volume. A magnetic flux quantum ΦM = h/e stabilizes the proton's charge trajectory. The two curvatures of the toroidal and poloidal current loops are determined by the magnetic forces associated with ΦM. We compare our calculations against experimental data

Combinando revisión bibliográfica, mapas acústicos y observaciones in situ: sinopsis de las formaciones coralígenas en Liguria (NO del mar Mediterráneo)

A review and update of the existing knowledge on the coralligenous assemblages of Liguria (NW Italy) was conducted as an essential step towards management measures for their conservation according to the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. By combining a literature review, acoustic mapping and in situ observations on a geographic information systems platform, we were able to assess the distribution and heterogeneity of coralligenous assemblages and the main pressures affecting them. The reliability of the literature was previously estimated using a dependability index. The coralligenous assemblages cover an area of 130.9 ha and range from 10 to 113 m depth. Twelve different biological facies (five of them not included in the EUNIS list) were identified and four main geomorphotypes (plungingcliffs, paleocliffs, rockfalls and shoals) were recognized. Incident light values influenced the distribution of four facies in Portofino promontory. Pressures were found on 33% of the coralligenous assemblages investigated, mainly due to fishing activities, mass mortality events, invasive species and occasional mucilaginous events. Our results showed a high spatial, geomorphological and biological heterogeneity of coralligenous assemblages in Liguria.Una revisión y actualización del conocimiento existente sobre las formaciones coralígenas en Liguria (NO de Italia) ha sido implementado como paso esencial con vistas a las medidas de gestión para su conservación de acuerdo con la Directiva Marco sobre la Estrategia Marina. Combinando en plataforma SIG revisión bibliográfica, mapas acústicos y observaciones in situ hemos sido capaces de determinar la distribución de las formaciones coralígenas, su heterogeneidad y sus principales presiones. La fiabilidad de la bibliografía fue estimada a través del índice de confianza (DI). Las formaciones coralígenas cubren un área de 130.9 ha en un rango de profundidad que va desde los 10 m a los 113 m. 12 facies biológicas diferentes (5 de ellas no incluidas en la lista EUNIS) fueron identificadas y 4 geomorfotipos principales (acantilado actual, paleoacantilado, cúmulo de rocas y bajos) fueron reconocidos. Los valores de luz incidente influenciaron la distribución de 4 facies en el promontorio de Portofino. Fueron encontradas presiones en el 33% de las formaciones coralígenas inves-tigadas, principalmente debidas a actividades de pesca, episodios de muerte masiva, especies invasoras y proliferación de algas mucilaginosas. Nuestros resultados mostraron una elevada heterogeneidad espacial, geomorfológica y biológica de las formaciones coralígenas en Liguria

Thermolytic reverse electrodialysis heat engine: model development, integration and performance analysis

Salinity gradient heat engines represent an innovative and promising way to convert low-grade heat into electricity by employing salinity gradient technology in a closed-loop configuration. Among the aqueous solutions which can be used as working fluid, ammonium bicarbonate-water solutions appear very promising due to their capability to decompose at low temperature. In this work, an experimentally validated model for a reverse electrodialysis heat engine fed with ammonium bicarbonate-water solutions was developed. The model consists of two validated sub-models purposely integrated, one for the reverse electrodialysis unit and the other for the stripping/absorption regeneration unit. The impact of using current commercial membranes and future enhanced membranes on the efficiency of the system was evaluated, along with the effect of operating and design parameters through sensitivity analyses. Results indicated that exergy efficiency up to 8.5% may be obtained by considering enhanced future membranes and multi-column regeneration units

High-Flow Nasal Interface Improves Oxygenation in Patients Undergoing Bronchoscopy

During bronchoscopy hypoxemia is commonly found and oxygen supply can be delivered by interfaces fed with high gas flows. Recently, the high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been introduced for oxygen therapy in adults, but they have not been used so far during bronchoscopy in adults. Forty-five patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups receiving oxygen: 40 L/min through a Venturi mask (V40, N = 15), nasal cannula (N40, N = 15), and 60 L/min through a nasal cannula (N60, N = 15) during bronchoscopy. Gas exchange and circulatory variables were sampled before (FiO2 = 0.21), at the end of bronchoscopy (FiO2 = 0.5), and thereafter (V40, FiO2 = 0.35). In 8 healthy volunteers oxygen was randomly delivered according to V40, N40, and N60 settings, and airway pressure was measured. At the end of bronchoscopy, N60 presented higher PaO2, PaO2/FiO2, and SpO2 than V40 and N40 that did not differ between them. In the volunteers (N60) median airway pressure amounted to 3.6 cmH2O. Under a flow rate of 40 L/min both the Venturi mask and HFNC behaved similarly, but nasal cannula associated with a 60 L/min flow produced the better results, thus indicating its use in mild respiratory dysfunctions

Mg(OH)2 Recovery from Real Bitterns: a Proof of Concept at Pilot Scale

Water, energy, and minerals are fundamental pillars for the future of humankind. Sustainable and renewable productive processes and resources are the only possibility to face the continuously growing global population and high living standards requirements. The present work introduces a proof of concept for the pilot scale production of magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2, from waste saltworks bitterns located in the district of Trapani, Italy. Mg(OH)2 was produced by adopting a proprietary “Magnesium Crystals Granulometry Controlled Reactor”, Mg-CGCR. The influence of several parameters was investigated on Mg(OH)2 suspensions and powders characteristics: (i) the bittern flow rate, (ii) alkaline sodium hydroxide, NaOH, concentrations solutions (adopted as the precipitant agent) and (iii) the final suspension pH value (stoichiometric or OH- excess amounts). A Mg2+ recovery >99 % can be achieved thanks to the adoption of a product recycling strategy in the reactor. Furthermore, highly pure Mg(OH)2 powders, addressed by cationic purity, were synthesized. Results demonstrate the possibility of producing highly pure Mg(OH)2 products from waste-concentrated saline solutions, thus turning waste into valuable compounds

Streptomyces coelicolor Vesicles: Many Molecules To Be Delivered

Streptomyces coelicolor is a model organism for the study of Streptomyces, a genus of Gram-positive bacteria that undergoes a complex life cycle and produces a broad repertoire of bioactive metabolites and extracellular enzymes. This study investigated the production and characterization of membrane vesicles (MVs) in liquid cultures of S. coelicolor M145 from a structural and biochemical point of view; this was achieved by combining microscopic, physical and -omits analyses. Two main populations of MVs, with different sizes and cargos, were isolated and purified. S. coelicolor MV cargo was determined to be complex, containing different kinds of proteins and metabolites. In particular, a total of 166 proteins involved in cell metabolism/differentiation, molecular processing/transport, and stress response were identified in MVs, the latter functional class also being important for bacterial morpho-physiological differentiation. A subset of these proteins was protected from degradation following treatment of MVs with proteinase K, indicating their localization inside the vesicles. Moreover, S. coelicolor MVs contained an array of metabolites, such as antibiotics, vitamins, amino acids, and components of carbon metabolism. In conclusion, this analysis provides detailed information on S. coelicolor MVs under basal conditions and on their corresponding content, which may be useful in the near future to elucidate vesicle biogenesis and functions.IMPORTANCE Streptomycetes are widely distributed in nature and characterized by a complex life cycle that involves morphological differentiation. They are very relevant in industry because they produce about half of all clinically used antibiotics, as well as other important pharmaceutical products of natural origin. Streptomyces coelicolor is a model organism for the study of bacterial differentiation and bioactive molecule production. S. coelicolor produces extracellular vesicles that carry many molecules, such as proteins and metabolites, including antibiotics. The elucidation of S. coelicolor extracellular vesicle cargo will help us to understand different aspects of streptomycete physiology, such as cell communication during differentiation and response to environmental stimuli. Moreover, the capability of these vesicles for carrying different kinds of biomolecules opens up new biotechnological possibilities related to drug delivery. Indeed, decoding the molecular mechanisms involved in cargo selection may lead to the customization of extracellular vesicle content

Unrelated bone marrow transplantation in Thalassemia. The experience of the Italian Bone Marrow transplant Group (GITMO)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a widely accepted therapeutic approach in homozygous beta-thalassemia. However, the majority of patients do not have a genotypically identical donor within the family. This prompted us to conduct a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of matched unrelated bone marrow transplantation in thalassemia. The major drawback was the high risk of immunologic and transplant-related complications, mainly graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and graft failure. DESIGN AND METHODS: Our aim was to reduce this risk through careful selection of donor/recipient pairs. HLA haplotypes that show a high linkage disequilibrium among their class I, class II and class III alleles are considered extended or ancestral haplotypes. RESULTS: These haplotypes are conserved and can be shared by apparently unrelated individuals. Our study shows that matching for these haplotypes significantly improves the outcome of unrelated bone marrow transplantation in thalassemia. In fact, results were comparable to those obtained in transplants using HLA-identifical family donors. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Better results were obtained in patients with lesser iron overload and when the donor shared an identity for the DPB1 alleles

RNA polymerase III drives alternative splicing of the potassium channel–interacting protein contributing to brain complexity and neurodegeneration

An RNA polymerase III–transcribed noncoding RNA promotes alternative splicing of KCNIP4, altering amyloid precursor protein processing and contributing to neurodegeneration

Effects of the timing of administration of IgM- and IgA-enriched intravenous polyclonal immunoglobulins on the outcome of septic shock patients

Background: The administration of endovenous immunoglobulins in patients with septic shock could be beneficial and preparations enriched with IgA and IgM (ivIgGAM) seem to be more effective than those containing only IgG. In a previous study Berlot et al. demonstrated that early administration of ivIgGAM was associated with lower mortality rate. We studied a larger population of similar patients aiming either to confirm or not this finding considering also the subgroup of patients with septic shock by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Methods: Adult patients with septic shock in intensive care unit (ICU) treated with ivIgGAM from August 1999 to December 2016 were retrospectively examined. Collected data included the demographic characteristics of the patients, the diagnosis at admission, SOFA, SAPS II and Murray Lung Injury Score (LIS), characteristics of the primary infection, the adequacy of antimicrobial therapy, the delay of administration of ivIgGAM from the ICU admission and the outcome at the ICU discharge. Parametric and nonparametric tests and logistic regression were used for statistic analysis. Results: During the study period 107 (30%) of the 355 patients died in ICU. Survivors received the ivIgGAM earlier than nonsurvivors (median delay 12 vs 14 h), had significantly lower SAPS II, SOFA and LIS at admission and a lower rate of MDR- and fungal-related septic shock. The appropriateness of the administration of antibiotics was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors (84 vs 79%, respectively, p: n.s). The delay in the administration of ivIgGAM from the admission was associated with in-ICU mortality (odds ratio per 1-h increase = 1.0055, 95% CI 1.003\u20131.009, p < 0.001), independently of SAPS II, LIS, cultures positive for MDR pathogens or fungi and onset of septic shock. Only 46 patients (14%) had septic shock due to MDR pathogens; 21 of them (46%) died in ICU. Survivors had significantly lower SAPS II, SOFA at admission and delay in administration of ivIgGAM than nonsurvivors (median delay 18 vs 66 h). Even in this subgroup the delay in the administration of ivIgGAM from the admission was associated with an increased risk of in-ICU mortality (odds ratio 1.007, 95% CI 1.0006\u20131.014, p = 0.048), independently of SAPS II. Conclusions: Earlier administration of ivIgGAM was associated with decreased risk of in-ICU mortality both in patients with septic shock caused by any pathogens and in patients with MDR-related septic shock